Learn the Minor Scales for Piano

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Learn formulas for minor scales used in playing the piano and where
to use them in your performances. This lesson will cover Relative minor
scales, Natural minor, Harmonic minor and Melodic minor scales.

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Relative Minor Scales

If you know a little about the
Major Scales
and how to form them then learning the Relative Minor scales is fairly easy.

Each Major Key, or Major Scale has a Relative Minor scale associated with it that will share the major scales Key signature.

To find the Relative Minor scale in the key of C you can count
down from C three half steps to the note A, and then play all the white
notes from A to A.

If you do that you will be playing an A natural minor scale.

Because the C major scale has no sharps or flats, the related A natural minor scale will have no sharps or flats as well.

ex. C Major = C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C
ex. A Minor = A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A

Notice as you play the two scales that the major
scale will sound bright and cheerful while the related minor scale will
have a darker, more solemn or sad sound.

While it would be better for you to figure out the relative
Natural Minor scales at the keyboard using what you know so far, I will
include all 12 Natural minor scales for you.

C = C - D - Eb - F - G - Ab - Bb - C

D = D - E - F - G - A - Bb - C - D

E = E - F# - G - A - B - C - D - E

F = F - G - Ab - Bb - C - Db - Eb - F

G = G - A - Bb - C - D - Eb - F - G

A = A - B - C - D - E - F - G - A

B = B - C# - D - E - F# - G - A - B

C# = C# - D# - E - F# - G# - A - B - C#

Eb = Eb - F - Gb - Ab - Bb - Cb - Db - Eb

F# = F# - G# - A - B - C# - D - E - F#

G# = G# - A# - B - C# - D# - E - F# - G#

Bb = Bb - C - Db - Eb - F - Gb - Ab - Bb

Natural Minor Formula

Another way to figure out any Natural minor scale is to use this simple formula.

Please take a few minutes and watch the short video clip below for a little extra help on finding and using you new information.

Be sure to fill in the comment section and let me know how I can improve your learning experience.

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